Bouncing ball with bounce counter

ABSTRACT

Described is a bouncing ball with bounce counter. The bouncing ball includes a ball housing with a bounce counter embedded therein. In various aspects, the bounce counter includes an integrated circuit and a motion switch. The motion switch is operable for indicating a bounce against a surface and the integrated circuit is operable for maintaining a bounce count based on cumulative actions of the motion switch. A display can be connected with the integrated circuit for displaying a bounce count. In some aspects, the integrated circuit is configured for communicating the bounce count to an external mobile device. Finally and in other aspects, the ball housing has an external surface that is textured with a plurality of bumps.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/620,997, filed on Jan. 23, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a toy ball and, more particularly, to a bouncing ball with a bounce counter built therein.

(2) Description of Related Art

Bouncing balls have long been known in the art. Typical bouncing balls simply bounce off of a surface without any means for detecting or otherwise counting the number of bounces.

Thus, a continuing need exists for an improved bouncing ball with a capacity for counting the number of bounces that a user performs using the bouncing ball.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This disclosure is directed to a bouncing toy with bounce counter. The bouncing toy includes a toy housing with a bounce counter embedded therein. In various aspects, the bounce counter includes an integrated circuit and a motion switch. The motion switch is operable for indicating a bounce against a surface and the integrated circuit is operable for maintaining a bounce count based on cumulative actions of the motion switch. A display can be connected with the integrated circuit for displaying a bounce count. In some aspects, the integrated circuit is configured for communicating the bounce count to an external mobile device. In other aspects, the toy is a bouncing ball such that the toy housing is a ball housing. Yet in other aspects, the ball housing has an external surface that is textured with a plurality of bumps.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an elevated, front-view illustration of a bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevated, rear-view illustration of the bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded-view illustration of the bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevated, rear-view illustration of the bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention, depicting a cover and battery as removed from a ball housing;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevated, front-view illustration of a bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention, depicting an aspect where an exterior surface of the bouncing ball is textured; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded-view illustration of the bouncing ball according to various embodiments of the present invention, depicting an aspect where the exterior surface of the bouncing ball is textured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a toy ball and, more particularly, to a bouncing ball with a bounce counter built therein. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

As shown in FIG. 1, the present disclosure is directed to a bouncing ball 100 with a bounce counter built therein. The bouncing ball 100 is a high bounce ball (i.e., a ball with elastic bouncing properties, such as rubber coated, etc.) with an electronic bounce counter. The ball 100 can be transparent, transparent tinted, or otherwise colored in any desired color. The ball 100 is motion sensitive and counts each bounce every time it hits something. In some embodiments, the counter can be reset. In other embodiments, the counter cannot be reset and continues to count and keeps a total count of all bounces. In various embodiments, a screen or display 102 (e.g., LCD display, LED display, or screen) can be used to display the count and can flash and/or change the count every time the ball 100 bounces. In various embodiments, the display 102 has any desired number of digits that can be counted, such as into the billions. In other embodiments, the display 102 has a six-digit counter which counts up to 999,999 (or any other number as programmed into the system). On the desired or otherwise preset end bounce (e.g., millionth bounce), the display 102 can depict a message. For example, it can display a visual pay-off message, such as “You've done it—Great Job!”; after which the counter resets or simply finishes counting. The components also include other scrolling visual pay-offs when hitting milestone figures, such as 1000, 5000, 10,000, etc. When the bouncing ball 100 reaches the end bounce, consumers can post photos on a website or social media site, etc.

It should be noted that although a display 102 is described and illustrated within the figures, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto as the ball 100 can also be configured in some aspects (with or without a display 102) to communicate (either wired or wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth®, etc.) with an external mobile device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, smart watch, etc. For example, the ball 100 can be formed to include any necessary components to wirelessly communicate with such a mobile device and communicate the bounce count to the mobile device. Thus, in this aspect, the mobile device includes an app or other software as may be needed to receive and display the bounce count and perform the relevant operations as described herein (such as displaying or resetting a bounce count, providing the visual pay-off message, etc.).

It should be noted that the bouncing ball 100 includes all of the necessary components within the bouncing ball 100 to provide the functions as described herein. For example and in various aspects, the bouncing ball 100 includes a ball housing 104 that houses and holds the display 102 (in aspects in which the display 104 is included within the ball 100 itself). In various aspects and as shown in FIG. 2, the ball housing 104 includes a removable cover 106 that provides access to a battery and any applicable components housed within the ball housing 104.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 106 can be a single item or, in other aspects, formed of several items. For example and as depicted, the cover 106 includes a gasket 300, a weight 302, a threaded cap 304, and a rubber ball cap 306. The gasket 300 (e.g., rubber, etc.) is formed to securely holding the weight 302, which provides protection and added force when the ball 100 is bounced against a surface to ensure a bounce count. The threaded cap 304 is fit over the gasket 300, with a rubber ball cap 306 securely fit over the threaded cap 304. Upon removing the cover 106, a user is provided access to a battery door 308 that can be removed (via screws 310, etc.) to access a battery 312.

Within the ball housing 104 is an integrated circuit (IC) 314 (e.g., microprocessor or printed circuit board (PCB) with an IC, or any other applicable component or circuitry as may be required to perform the operations described herein, etc.). The IC 314 can be formed to include an embedded or otherwise attached motion switch 316. Battery contacts 318 or any other necessary electrical components can be included to power the IC 314. In some aspects, an auxiliary cord 320 is included to allow a user to connect the ball 100 with an external mobile device to communicate data from the ball (e.g., such as bounce counts, etc.); whereas in other aspects the ball 100 wirelessly communicates with the mobile device via Bluetooth or similar technology.

Also as shown is an internal housing having a first housing half 322 and a second housing half 324. The internal housing is used to secure the IC 314 and display 102 (in aspects in which a display 102 is included) and further position the display 102 proximate a window 326 in the ball housing 104.

FIGS. 4 and 5 further illustration the ball 100 and its various components. For example, FIG. 4 provides a rear-view illustration depicting the cover 106 as removed from the housing 104 to reveal the battery door 308 and battery 312. Further, FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional, side-view illustration of the ball 100 and its various components when housed within the housing 104.

In operation, the ball 100 counts the bouncing when the motion switch 316 is triggered. The motion switch 316 is any suitable mechanism or device that is operable for detecting a bounce (i.e., a contact with a surface). In some aspects, the motion switch 316 is built-in with a metal spring and contact plate. When the switch 316 is being vibrated, the metal spring will contact with the contact plate to complete a circuit and indicate a bounce. The IC 314 is triggered by this contact pulsing and counts the bounce, causing the display 102 to display the bounce count. In other aspects, the bounce count is transmitted to the mobile device to be displayed on the mobile device.

As noted above and as shown in FIG. 2, the bouncing ball 100 can be formed to include a cover 106 that can be removed (e.g., such as by unscrewing the cover 106 from the ball housing 104) to allow for access to an auxiliary cord and/or battery and/or other internal components. A coin slot 200 or other form or feature can be formed in the cover 106 to allow a user to easily remove the cover 106. The “coin slot” 200 allows a user to open the compartment where the battery and auxiliary cord are stored. Rather than using a screwdriver, a user can open it by placing a coin in the coin slot 200 and turning, so that it lines up the notches on the sides, then the user can pry it up (with something such as a screw driver). Removing the cover 106 reveals an interior compartment. Then the user can reverse the procedure to close ball 100. In various embodiments, the ball 100 and compartment cover 106 (and any other internal components as desired) are made from or otherwise coated in a rubbery material so that the ball 100 bounces. Desirably, the ball housing 104 and other components (if possible) are made from a rubbery material so that the ball 100 bounces.

The bouncing ball housing 104 can be made of or otherwise coated in a thermoplastic rubber material (or any other suitably elastic material that allows for bouncing) and can be formed to have an exterior surface that is smooth (as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5) or textured (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). The texture on the ball 100 is for “shock absorption” as it helps to protect the electronics on the interior of the ball 100. For further understanding, FIG. 7 provides another example of the ball 100 and its various components. As shown, the ball 100 has a ball housing 104 and a cover 106 that can be removed to reveal a battery door 308 and battery 312. The first housing half 322 and a second housing half 324 are used to secure the IC 314 and display 102 (in aspects in which a display 102 is included) and further position the display 102 proximate a window 326 in the ball housing 104. Also shown is a screen clip 700 and screen cover 702 to protect the display 102.

In addition to the bounce count mechanism, the ball 100 can be formed to provide additional features. For example, the ball can be configured to track progress on a downloadable mobile application and website. The display 102 will display rewarding messages and an LED light will change color as the user reaches different bounce milestones. As noted above, an auxiliary cord (or Bluetooth capable) can be included to connect to smart devices so that the user can set up a profile and upload/track the bounces to the app and website. The ball 100 can be formed in a variety of sizes as desired.

In other embodiments, the features described herein can also be placed into a Yo-Yo. In the Yo-Yo version, the count mechanism counts each time the Yo-Yo is spun out and brought back to the user. Thus, the bounce in this aspect is the bottom out and return of the Yo-Yo to the user. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bounce counter described herein can be incorporated into a wide variety of toys other than balls.

Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particular method steps have been recited in a particular order, the method steps may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy with a bounce counter, comprising: a toy housing, the toy housing having a bounce counter embedded therein.
 2. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bounce counter includes an integrated circuit and a motion switch, the motion switch operable for indicating a bounce against a surface and the integrated circuit being operable for maintaining a bounce count based on cumulative actions of the motion switch.
 3. The toy as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a display connected with the integrated circuit for displaying a bounce count.
 4. The toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for communicating the bounce count to an external mobile device.
 5. The toy as set forth in claim 4, wherein the toy is a bouncing ball such that the toy housing is a ball housing.
 6. The toy as set forth in claim 5, wherein the ball housing has an external surface that is textured with a plurality of bumps.
 7. The toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for communicating the bounce count to an external mobile device.
 8. The toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the toy is a bouncing ball such that the toy housing is a ball housing, and wherein the ball housing has an external surface that is textured with a plurality of bumps. 